Aaron Schock (R-Ill.)

At age 13, Schock started his own database-management company before trading stocks shortly after. Through high school, he amassed $18,000 working in gravel pits.

State Politician

Schock had the credits to graduate from high school early, but the Peoria school board denied him the chance. Schock completed a four-year finance degree in two years at Bradley University.

At the age of 19 and in the final year of college, Schock won a seat in 2001 on the same school board that denied him early graduation, winning 60 percent of the vote in a write-in campaign after the incumbent successfully challenged Schock's initial petition signatures. He grew to be the Peoria District 150 school board vice president, taking over as president in 2004.

In 2004, Schock challenged four-term incumbent state Rep. Ricca Slone (D) in an urban, Democratic district. He narrowly defeated Slone, becoming the youngest lawmaker in Springfield.

2008 Congressional Campaign

When LaHood announced in August 2007 he would not run for reelection the following year, Schock met with the incumbent seeking support for a House bid. LaHood pointed him to people to contact, but then learned a few days later his own son was considering a bid. LaHood contacted county party chairmen to ask them to stay neutral, but 11 of 20 had already given Schock their endorsements. LaHood's son opted not to run.

During a November 2007 House campaign event, Schock drew criticism from his challengers for suggesting that if China didn't impose sanctions to curb Iran's nuclear program, the U.S. could sell nuclear weapons to Taiwan to get China's attention. Schock later backed off the statement. "I have listened to knowledgeable people on this issue, and they have said I am on the right track with a proposal that has a great chance to defuse the crisis without military conflict, but that I was wrong to include the possibility of selling nuclear arms to Taiwan." Schock said.

Despite the gaffe that LaHood said showed immaturity, Schock won the Republican nomination with 71 percent of the vote.

As their candidate, Democratic county chairs chose TV news reporter Colleen Callahan.

Schock had a $2.6 million war chest compared with Callahan's $600,000. About $700,000 of Schock's funds came from a July fundraiser in Peoria featuring President George W. Bush.

Callahan aired ads attacking Schock, who was being investigated for potentially backdating documents for his father as a notary in 2001. Two weeks before the election, the county state's attorney announced there would be no prosecution of the case, partly because the statute of limitations had expired. He won the election, 59 to 38 percent.

Schock sits on three House committees: Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform.

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